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To qualify for 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. It also must earn an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and an acceptable or good headlight rating.

The photos and videos shown here may be of a different model, model year or body type from the one selected. The ratings of one vehicle often apply to other models if they are built on the same platform. In addition, a test of a vehicle from one model year may apply to earlier or later model years if the vehicle hasn't been significantly redesigned.

Applies to 2015-19 models

Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Beginning with 2015 models, the front-end and occupant compartment structure was strengthened to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes.

Structure

The driver space was maintained reasonably well, with maximum intrusion of the upper interior of 8-9 cm at the upper hinge pillar and instrument panel. Lower interior intrusion measured 8 cm at the hinge pillar.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s movement was well controlled. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.

Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Beginning with 2015 models, the front-end and occupant compartment structure was strengthened to improve occupant protection in small overlap frontal crashes.

Two passenger-side small overlap frontal tests of the Soul were conducted, one by the Institute of a 2018 model and the other by Hyundai/Kia of a 2017 model as part of frontal crash test verification. Ratings are based on both tests, but the vehicle specifications shown below are based on the Institute’s test.

Structure

The passenger space was maintained well in both tests, with maximum intrusion of the lower interior of 11 cm at the rightmost portion of the toepan. Maximum upper interior intrusion measured 7-8 cm at the dashboard and upper hinge pillar.

Passenger injury measures

A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the dashboard in the Institute's test, indicating that head injuries would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low in the two tests, taken together.

Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

In both tests, the dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but then moved off toward the right side. In the Institute's test, the head moved so far forward and to the right that it hit the dashboard. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage in both tests to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.

Driver injury measures

In both tests, measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

The dummy’s movement was well controlled in both tests. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound.

Applies to 2014-19 models

Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia as part of frontal crash test verification.

Injury measures

Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Restraints and dummy kinematics

Dummy movement was well controlled. The driver side curtain and side torso airbags deployed during the crash. After the dummy moved forward into the frontal airbag, its head contacted the side curtain airbag.

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia as part of side crash test verification. (The car tested was designated as a 2012 model but included all of the design changes of the 2014 models.)

Injury measures

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection

Driver — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Passenger — The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Applies to 2014-19 models

Overall evaluation

G

Curb weight

2,905 lbs

Peak force

15,304 lbs

Strength-to-weight ratio

5.27

Tested vehicle

2014 Kia Soul Plus wagon

Roof strength test ratings can be compared across vehicle categories.

In the test, the strength of the roof is determined by pushing a metal plate against one side of it at a slow but constant speed. The force applied relative to the vehicle's weight is known as the strength-to-weight ratio. This graph shows how the ratio varied as the test of this vehicle progressed. The peak strength-to-weight ratio recorded at any time before the roof is crushed 5 inches is the key measurement of roof strength.

A good rating requires a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 4. In other words, the roof must withstand a force of at least 4 times the vehicle's weight before the plate crushes the roof by 5 inches. For an acceptable rating, the minimum required strength-to-weight ratio is 3.25. For a marginal rating, it is 2.5. Anything lower than that is poor.

Low beams

On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams

On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and gradual right curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.